HIN 2020-2021 2nd Edition

2020-2021 2nd Edition

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Houston Insurance Day Committee HID what do we do? » » » » »

Plan Houston Insurance Day Select & Secure Keynote Speakers Secure Exhibitors for the event Secure Sponsors for the event Provide a valuable experience for attendees

Welcome Our committee’s mission is to provide networking opportunities for agents and affiliate members through a one-day industry-wide convention.

Houston Insurance Day (HID) averages 2,000 industry professionals in attendance every year and up to 150 exhibiting companies. This endeavor is only made possible by a committee that works tirelessly throughout the year to produce an event of its stature.

Our committee is comprised of individuals who have a common goal — producing the best oneday industry-wide convention in Texas!

Want to join our committee to expand your network and contribute to this industry event?

Contact HID’s Chairman, Ashley (Newton) Giglio, at Ashley.Giglio@MarshMMA.com for more information.

MEETING DETAILS

WHEN: Monthly @ 10:00 AM WHERE: Virtual Zoom Meetings EMAIL: ashley.giglio@marshmma.com

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Features

Table of C

03 Comitte

07

Executive Director’s Message

23

January Industry Luncheon

24-34

Houston Insurance Day 2021

46

Have you Heard?

05 Events &

12-13; 43 In 14-17 18 Membe

19 Affiliate

20 Presiden

36 Its t

37 Coverag

39 Legislat

41 U

42 Houston Insura

44 E 47 Who has t

Specia

46 Busines

46 Advert

4

Contents

ee Spotlight

& Education

n Memoriam CPCU r Spotlight

e Spotlight

nt’s Message

the Law

ge Spotlight

tive Update

UHD

ance Professionals

E&O he Last Word

al Items

ss Card Ads

tise Index

Upcoming events 29th Annual Charity Benefit Crawfish Boil March 27, 2021

2nd Annual Fishin’ with A Mission April 16, 2021 April Industry Luncheon April 22, 2021 25th Annual Charity Chili Cook Off April 24, 2021 Spring Golf Tournament May 4, 2021

Education Coming Soon!

Check our website for updates www.iiah.org

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Dear Friends, I hope that everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season and that you are safe and healthy! As more and more people are able to get the COVID vaccine, I am hopeful that we are beginning to get back to some sort of “new normal”. I would like to thank all of our Agents and Affiliate members for everything that they have done during this pandemic. We could not

February 5 | 2021

have done it without your support and help.

I am looking forward to 2021 and all that it will bring. We had a wonderful HID this year, in two parts, in-person and virtual.

Thanks to all of you who supported both events and made them successful.

Hopefully next year we can all be together inperson at HID 2022! We have some exciting events coming up in the next few months: Charity Crawfish Boil in March, Revised Fishin’ with a Mission in April in Galveston and our Golf Tournament in May.

We will also have an April luncheon, so please join us wherever and whenever you can. We love seeing everyone in person and not just on the Zoom calls!

If you haven’t attended our Zoom Roundtable discussions, you are missing out. Liz Brock, our membership chair has done a wonderful job each month presenting interesting topics in a thirty minute question and answer format. Be sure and tune in for the March discussion and see what

you have been missing!

Remember, IIAH is here to serve you. So please let Renee, Ayla or myself know if there is anything we can do to better serve you. We are always open to new ideas and the best ones come from our existing members. Hope to see you in-person real soon!

David Wuthrich IIAH Executive Director

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Executive Committee Chris Goff,CIC, LUTCF President Jim Drew,ARM, CIC, CRM President Elect Jason Nybakken Vice President Adam Harris Treasurer David Wuthrich Executive Director Stuart Ray Immediate Past President

Board of Directors Holly Bozant Tom Fitzpatrick Elizabeth Kirby Jason Knecht Tony May Ryan Moorehead Wes Weatherred Darrell Wolfe

Our Staff Executive Director David Wuthrich Sr. Managing Director Renee Stager Managing Director Ayla Benavides Communications Sandra Greer

Office 7700 San Felipe, Suite 310 Houston, Texas 77063 P: 832. 769.4666 F: 832.324.3503 www.iiah.org

New Members New Affiliate Members AmCap Insurance

Annual Sponsors Titanium Elite Sponsors Imperial PFS Burns & Wilcox, Ltd. CRC Group

Platinum Partners for Excellence Lighthouse Property Insurance Corporation RT Specialty Texas Mutual Insurance Company UFG Insurance WSG Specialty Underwriters

Gold Patron Sponsors

AFS/IBEX A Division of MetaBank Chubb CNA Insurance Companies Delta General Agency Skyward Specialty Insurance WRIGHT Flood

Brookwood Communnity

Serving our Community

This year IIAH decided to dedicate all charitiable efforts to three benefactors, Brookwood Community, Camp Hope and Company Onstage.

This edition features Brookwood Community. the Grace of God, The “ Through Brookwood Community provides

an educational environment that creates meaningful jobs, builds a sense of belonging, and provides meaning and purpose for adults with disabilities.

Located in Brookshire, Texas, 40 miles west of downtown Houston, The Brookwood Community is a non-profit (501(c)3) residential facility and vocational program for adults with disabilities.

We see every individual as a unique creation of a wise and loving God, deserving not only of our abiding patience and respect, but of boundless awe. We cherish diversity in all forms and eschew narrowminded notions of normalcy. ” Learn More | About Brookwood

One of this year’s Benefactors

Committees of 2020-2021

Committees

are what breaths life into our association. With 9 active committees there are at least 100 people actively serving the association with their unique skills. We are always looking to put your skills to use to further drive the association’s mission forward. No matter what your skills are, or what you are passionate about, we likely have something of interest to you. The end result is to better the industry we all serve. Join a Committee today and become part of the mission.

Charitable Projects/ Fire Prevention Chairman: Sarah Beck Vice Chairman: Tasha Stolte Education, I.T., CE Chairman: Katrina Masek Vice Chairman: Michelle Dennis Houston Insurance Day Chairman: Ashley Newton Vice Chairman: Carmela Cancino Legislative Chairman: Kyle Dean IMPACT Chairman: Mickie Comiskey Vice Chairman: Lea Brimberry Membership Chairman: Liz Brock Recreation Chairman: Amber Stevenson Vice Chairman: Carisa Cole Young Insurnace Professionals Chairman: Derek Pierce Vice Chairman: Grant Pierce PR/Media Matters Chairman: Scott West Social Media Chairman: Daphne Clark Vice Chariman: Liz Brock Houston Insurance News Chairman: Amy Weimer Vice Chairman: Daphne Clark

fast and furious learning curve to build the agency into one of Houston’s finest, brokering insurance covering an expanding array of risks. Ever a student of insurance and advocate of professionalism in his field, Tom earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter professional designation, the industry’s most esteemed credential in property/casualty insurance, and was invited to join the Thomas Matthew Braniff and Gregory Peck, and Houston chapter of the developing a close personal Chartered Property Casualty 1945-2021 and lifelong friendship Thomas Matthew Braniff Underwriters Society. He with exiled Cuban baseball also authored a weekly passed away peacefully at his home in Houston, Texas Spanish broadcaster insurance column for the Orlando Sanchez Diago. on the 12th of February Houston Chronicle, as He attended St. Mary’s 2021, at the age of 75. He its youngest contributor.

University in San Antonio was born on the 22nd of By the mid-1980s, the earning an undergraduate August 1945, in Houston, agency, rebranded Braniff and a law degree and Texas to Tenie Roberta + Braniff, had quadrupled Braniff and James J. Braniff, acquired an enduring its size and revenues, and affection for the city and Jr., who founded James J. was subsequently merged Braniff & Company in 1938. its Spanish culture while with Arthur J. Gallagher & He attended grade school at developing several lifetime Company, a global insurance St. Vincent de Paul and high friendships. During his brokerage, at which time undergraduate years, school at St. Thomas High Tom left the agency/ he worked summers in School, graduating in 1963. brokerage business to the family independent While in high school, found Texas Insurance insurance agency, where Tom began working for Consulting, providing legal he joined brothers, James the Houston Colt 45s, an representation to agencies expansion team in American J. Braniff, III and John R. in a wide array of services, Braniff, brokering property major league baseball’s including expert witness and casualty insurance at a testimony, merger and National League, owned time when Houston’s

by Houston legend and acquisition brokerage, former mayor Roy Hofheinz, commercial real estate agency consulting services whose dream to bring major market was rapidly and legal services. expanding and their league baseball to Houston He met his wife, Wendall customers included and build the world’s first Corrigan, a law student and restaurants, commercial real Legislative Aide to the Harris multi-purpose domed sports stadium was realized estate, and condominiums. County Delegation of the when the Colt 45s morphed The agency also innovated Texas Legislature, while arena insurance, providing into the Astros in 1965 for advocating legislation coverages for the the grand opening of the to improve service and Astrodome. Tom had many Astrodome, the Summit, accountability within the interesting experiences that Compaq Center and other Texas insurance industry at included tours of Hofheinz’s sporting arenas,many the state capitol in Austin. of which later became lavish private fivestory Tom and Wendy embarked performance venues where upon a romance, marriage home within the Dome, he and friends enjoyed taking visitors on tours of and partnership based upon music concerts. the stadium and to viewings mutual personal values and Upon graduation from law a commitment to insurance of the classic movie “How school, Tom joined his family education that endured the West was Won,” as a shareholder in the starring Jimmy Stewart, throughout his lifetime. agency where they worked Debbie Reynolds Over time, he separated 12 together in Houston’s

the expert witness and litigation business of Texas Insurance Consulting into a partnership with attorney, expert witness and friend Robert P. Gaddis, creating Insurance Forensics. Tom’s son, attorney and insurance agent Rhett Braniff, also partnered with his father on several cases for both entities, and with wife Wendy Braniff and son-inlaw Steven Charnquist, they formed Braniff Attorneys – Counselors, a law firm offering legal services within the areas of expertise of its family of attorneys including insurance, real estate, water and administrative law and consulting services.

Tom’s inquisitive and focused mind drove him to become an education advocate, seeking to provide access to education, mentorship and professional career development on various levels. Together with his St. Thomas graduating class brothers he established a scholarship for which they raised funds and he served as the liaison between the Class of ’63 members and their STHS scholarship recipients.

Tom became a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT), playing an instrumental role in the creation of its legislative committee and involved in its political action committee, IMPACT, in Houston. For this and numerous other contributions to the state association, he earned the organization’s coveted Paige Iland Political Action Award for political involvement benefitting independent insurance agents. He also taught conference seminars, developed sample contracts used by agents, and provided guidance and

legal expertise to its leadership’s decision making. Tom, in association with IIAT chapters throughout Texas, formed a partnership with Wortham Insurance Agency and the Joseph Blades family to fund and spearhead the establishment of an insurance and risk management undergraduate program at the University of Texas at Austin.

Tom was also actively involved in the leadership of the local Independent Insurance Agents of Houston (IIAH), a chapter of the state association, serving on the board of directors, numerous committees, authoring an insurance law article for its monthly publication and elected to a term as its president. In a concerted effort with IIAH members and other Houston insurance professionals, Tom created an undergraduate degree program at the University of Houston-Downtown to develop new industry talent and with the ultimate goal of mentoring those young professionals into leadership roles within the Houston property/ casualty insurance industry.

They recruited Tom’s wife, Wendy, to serve as director of the program and along with an Advisory Council comprised of Houston’s insurance leadership, developed a property/ casualty curriculum uniquely designed to simultaneously provide graduates with academic as well as professional insurance credentials. Tom was a faculty member who taught insurance classes in the UH-D program and at Houston Community College. Through his and the efforts, mentoring

and support of its Council members, its students and graduates succeeded into insurance careers throughout Houston and Texas.

In order to recruit and support students, Tom and Houston insurance colleagues Tim Brady, Matt Sasso and Kyle Dean created the Texas Insurance Education Foundation (TIEF) to raise and distribute scholarships and other supporting funds to the UH-D program and its students. Tom and Wendy also became avid supporters of the Insurance Council of Texas’s Education Foundation which directs member contributions to university insurance programs throughout Texas and promotes the careers of their students and graduates in the property/casualty insurance industry.

Tom’s membership in the American Association of Insurance Management Consultants (AAIMCo), an exclusive and elite cadre of insurance experts who provide consulting and expert witness services to the insurance industry throughout the United States, led to his service as the association’s president for seven terms, and recognition within the organization as “Mr. AAIMCo.” The Braniffs served together on various insurance industry committees, attended Texas insurance association meetings and conferences and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States for conferences with their AAIMCo colleagues and friends. Their dynamic partnership extended beyond their shared professional lives to their

mutual personal interests in exploring their Celtic orgins, politics, music, golf, family and especially their six grandchildren. Tom’s weekly highlight was dinner enjoyed with their Houston grandchildren. He was exceptionally pleased when Finnian enrolled in his beloved alma mater, St. Thomas High School, and proud to learn of Sayer’s acceptance to University of Houston this fall. They were also active in their local communities of Cambridge Green in Houston and Onion Creek in Austin and were avid golfers, with memberships at BraeBurn Country Club in Houston and Onion Creek Club in Austin where they also shared a second home. They enjoyed golfing with friends throughout the United States and in Ireland from Pebble Beach to Ballybunion. Tom and Wendy were members of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church for several decades.

He was a blues aficionado who accumulated an extensive music collection and created personal compilations of his favorite artists’ work which he generously shared with family and friends.

Tom was an American and Texas patriot, dedicated and loyal husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He is survived by his wife, Wendall (Wendy) Corrigan Braniff, siblings James J. Braniff III, John R. Braniff, Tenie Braniff, and Sister Ginny Braniff, daughter Farrah Braniff, son-in-law Steven Charnquist and their children Sayer, Finnian and Einin and son Rhett Braniff and wife Emily and their children Loudon, Gibson and Jolene, 10 nephews and

nieces and their spouses and 29 children and 41 cousins and their spouses, children and extended family members. He is predeceased by his brother Daniel P. Braniff.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation from five o’clock in the afternoon to seven o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 24th of February 2021, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at ten o’clock in the morning on Saturday the 27th of February 2021, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church 6800 Buffalo Speedway in Houston, where Mr. Braniff’s cousin, The Most Reverend Wm. Michael Mulvey, STL, DD, Bishop of Corpus Christi will serve as celebrant.

For those unable to attend the Memorial Mass inperson, virtual attendance will be available via live stream and may be accessed by visiting www.GeoHLewis.com and selecting Mr.Braniff’s online memorial tribute page and selecting the “Join Livestream” icon in the service section. Friends may also share memories and words of comfort and condolence electronically with his family.

His final resting place will be at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston, Texas.

In lieu of flowers and other customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial gifts in Tom’s name be made to Texas Insurance Education Foundation, 8980 Lakes at 610 Drive, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77054.

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CPCU NEWS

UPCOMING EVENTS Webinar | Joint CPCU/RIMS Tuesday, March 16, 2021 11:30 AM

If you are a Houston-area CPCU or designee, and wish to learn more about our educational programs and courses, community outreach, and other activities, please contact Vicki Treadville at VickiTreadville@cfins.com New Designees Due to the pandemic, the 2020 Houston Chapter Conferment ceremony has been postponed until 2021 and will be honoring its 2020 New Designees by featuring them and their journey through CPCU and careers, in “New Designee Spotlight” in CPCU Newsletters over the year.

CHAPTER RECENT EVENTS VIRTUAL SOCIAL

The chapter’s December Virtual Social was loads of fun as well as an opportunity for members to become better acquainted with one another and many of thet New Designees.

Participants received Uber Eats gift cards to purchase food and beverages for the event and then joined together via Zoom to play Two Truths & a Lie, where we learned that Teri Pruett was an extra in the movie “Avalanche” with Rock Hudson and Mia Farrow, and that others among the Society are very good at making up very convincing-sounding lies! Show & Tell provided an opportunity to learn of Judith Smalls’ coffee table book of Hurricane Harvey, “It reminds me that the Houston people are very resilient,” she shared. We also had a rousing game of Trivia, which showcased littleknown facts and long lost information about Texas, Houston and the CPCU Society. A great time was had by all!

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Christopher E. Mandel, Senior VP, Strategic Solutions for Sedgwick and director of the Sedgwick Institute has more than 30 years of experience in insurance and large global corporate risk management. He has held management roles throughout his career in corporate consulting and strategy, insurance brokerage and enterprise risk management. During the decade from 20012010, Mr. Mandel worked in San Antonio, TX with USAA where he was head of enterprise risk management and pioneered an awardwinning enterprise risk management program.

Mr. Mandel is a frequent industry speaker and faculty of Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), International Center for Captive Insurance Educations (ICCIE) and is a Spencer Foundation Risk Manager in Residence teacher at universities with risk management degree programs nationwide. As an author, he has contributed to the trade press since 1996 and currently writes the claim management column for the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) Rough Notes magazine and contributes to “Risk Insider” for Risk and Insurance magazine published by The Institutes.

He has served RIMS in leadership roles since the early ‘90s, culminating as its President from 2002-03. He was named Risk Manager of the Year in 2004, was elected a member of Risk Who’s Who in 2008 and received the RIMS Goodell Award in 2016 for lifetime achievement.

He has served over 25 industry entities as a board member including Captive Insurance Group of NJ, the Association for Responsible Alternatives to Worker’s Compensation, and the advisory board of Insurance Thought Leadership.com.

Chris.mandel@sedgwick.com | 210-845-5804

HOUSTON CHAPTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Webinar | U.S Postal Inspection Service

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 11:00 AM

Silvia Torres of U.S. Postal Inspection Services, the law enforcement arm of the USPS, will present a learning session on crimes and risks associated with public mail and mail theft and fraud. storres@uspis.gov | 713-238-4485

IN MEMORIUM MARGARET R. HORNER (1949-2020) After graduating from Rutgers University in Camden, NJ, Margaret (Meg) attained designations of CPCU, ARM, and CPIW and pursued a career in the corporate insurance industry. She moved to Houston in 1976 and was an active member of the Houston Chapter CPCU Society, the National Association of Insurance Women, and Insurance Professionals of Bellaire. She worked for several of the city’s leading insurance agencies, eventually retiring from Aon Risk Insurance Services as Vice President.

OLGA THOMPSON ( -2020) Olga served on the Houston chapter Education committee for many years, and taught classes when classroom teaching for the courses was the only option. She was 1994-1995 president of the chapter and instrumental in initiating the chapter’s long-time partnership with Bruce Elementary.

RIMS Webinars Webinars offered by RIMS are also open to Houston CPCU Society members. Thanks to Houston RIMS for this opportunity!

Go to: https://www.houstonrims.org to confirm dates, times, presenters and register.

Special thanks to Connie Gilliland, CPCU, AIC, AIS for outstanding service as the 2020 chapter Secretary. Emily Haluska, formerly the Membership Chair, will ascend into the board Secretary role. 2020 new designee Vicki Treadville has become the new Membership Chair.

PRESIDENT Judith Smalls, CPCU, CIFI, AIC PRESIDENT ELECT Kevin Boykin, CPCU SECRETARY Connie Gilliland, CPCU, AIC, AIS TREASURER Melvinn Brown, CPCU, ARM, AIC, API, AIS, ACS PAST PRESIDENT Brandon Yarborough, CPCU, AIC, AIP, AINS, AIM DIRECTORS AT LARGE Noah Klein, CPCU, AMIM Terrence Steele, CPCU, AIC

COMMITTEE CHAIRS CONFERMENT Kevin Boykin, CPCU EDUCATION Mary Sutter, CPCU, ARM, AAI, AIS, AINS GOOD WORKS Jin Na, CPCU MEMBERSHIP Emily Haluska, MBA, CPCU, ARe DESIGNEES Michelle Dyer, CPCU PUBLICITY Wendall Braniff, JD SOCIAL MEDIA Andrew Rausch, CPCU, ARM, AIC WEBMASTER Teri Pruett, CPCU, AU, API, AINS, ANFI

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2020 NEW DESIGNEE SPOTLIGHT Rick Sanders, CPCU, CSP, MBA Technical Consultant-UPS Dedicated Team Risk Control Services; Liberty Mutual

Born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, Rick attended LSU where he earned a B.A. in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies in 2006. His career began working for the Department of Homeland Security in anti-terrorism, and while in California, earned a M.S. at San Diego State University in Emergency Management. In 2010, he moved to the private sector with SNF Holding Company in Savannah, Georgia, where he became the Environment, Health & Security (EHS) Superintendent. He also became licensed as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), working on operational safety in the field. In 2012, he was hired as EHS Manager for Thunderbolt Marine, which repairs and refits privately-owned super-yachts. “That was a very unique experience which caused me to view risk differently,” he says. “When you are putting a $65M 200’ vessel into a paint booth, the layers of insurance protection, and their perforation potential, become very real and serious.” In 2013, his career took him to Trace Staffing Solutions as Safety/Risk Operations Manager, which brought him into the world of insurance, where he worked with brokers and agents to manage the company’s workers’ compensation program. That same year, he joined the ASSP Foundation, serving on the Risk Assessment Committee and The Next Generation Board, for which he was elected chair in 2014, providing educational opportunities, leadership development, and financial resources to safety students and professionals. He was awarded the ASSP Distinguished Service Award in 2014. “It’s important for professionals to share their knowledge and resources with new entrants into the field,” he said. “It’s also the most expedient way to promote and recruit new talent for a profession.”

In 2015, Rick, his wife, and toddler daughter moved to Houston to continue his career with Liberty Mutual. “Liberty Mutual made it clear from the onset that if I did not wish to be selflimiting, I must earn a CPCU designation,” he observed. “The company sponsors this education, pays for all texts, exams and other fees, and provides study time – it is considered part of the job.” He was assigned to a mentor, who advised him to develop a strategy and his own timing for the exams. “I was advised to take the courses in the order and at a speed that fit best for me and I developed a schedule to take two courses each quarter, balancing them by taking one that was dense and difficult with one that came easier for me.” He simultaneously started the MBA program at University of Houston - Clear Lake in 2018, and his first two CPCU courses that fall.

“It was a grind,” Risk confessed. “You just have to commit and never quit.” In May of 2020, he completed his MBA and, in doing so, received credit for his last CPCU course. “Some texts veer off into the highly theoretical, but the CPCU manuals are real world – perfectly pragmatic and presented in a very userfriendly format.” Rick is one of only sixteen New Designees invited to join the Houston Chapter CPCU Society in 2020. “It was 100% a worthwhile and valuable experience,” he concludes.

Rick and his wife, Sarah, a Kelsey Seybold Physician Assistant, live in Spring with their seven year old daughter. future.”

2020 NEW DESIGNEE SPOTLIGHT Nichole (Niki) Lamontagne, CPCU

Account Specialist Highpoint Insurance Group LLC

Born in Virginia, Niki and her family moved to Texas when she was two years old. Her insurance education began at a young age with an office manager position in the Houston offices of Jaeckel, Mund + Bruns (MUND+BRUNS), a Bremen, Germany-based marine surveying company, which performs surveys for insurance purposes for various marine entities. After nearly four years with the company, she needed a workplace closer to her home in Friendswood. On a whim, she answered an online ad for a marketing assistant position near Friendswood, and within minutes heard back from insurance industry headhunter Laura Hill. After interviewing Niki, Laura explained that her client was looking for someone who was new to the industry and willing to be taught and molded into a position, and referred Niki to the Houston office of Higginbotham, a large Austin-based agency, where she was hired and rose to become a Client Service Representative.

Niki’s supervisor, Lacy Rawlins, ARM, Higginbotham’s Corporate Compliance/Client Service Manager and Team Lead, also served as her mentor and quickly identified Niki as a smart and quick learner. “Lacy invested hundreds of hours educating and training me with research projects and other assignments to grow my craft,” Niki explained. “It was a unique experience to have someone really invested in me and my career and that motivated me to learn and grow.”

Niki earned her insurance license in 2017, and soon thereafter, Lacy Rawlins suggested that she undertake the CPCU designation. Niki started the CPCU series in April 2018.

“It was tough for nearly two years,” she stated after her self-learning experience, “and finance was the most difficult exam for me.” Soon she learned that Stacy Trinh, CPCU, Instructor and Founder of InsuranceExamGuides.com, had authored guides helpful to CPCU aspirants; Niki purchased the finance guide, studied it, and passed the exam. “I can’t thank Stacy Trinh enough,” she said. “Her guides are excellent and really simplified the finance material for nonfinance majors. The property exam contained a lot of material that needed to be sorted and compartmentalized in your head because of the wide range of property products. The legal exam was the easiest for me.”

In 2019, Niki moved to Highpoint Insurance Group as a Claims Specialist. She has completed one of the three courses for the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation and is working on earing the Risk Manager license, with plans to eventually segue into a risk manager role. 23 months after starting the eight-course CPCU odyssey, Niki passed her last exam in March 2020.

Niki and her fiancé, Rick Lopez, operations manager at chemical manufacturer Ascend, planned their Nov. 8, 2020 wedding with their family and friends, which has also been postponed to 2021. In the meantime, the couple is focusing on health and exercise.

Member Spotlight

InsGroup, Inc.

Insgroup was founded in 1978 in Houston, Texas, by a group of entrepreneurs committed to a shared vision to provide the security necessary for business owners and individuals to pursue their dreams. Over the next four decades and through changes in leadership and tremendous growth, our vision has remained unchanged.

Leading up to 2020 Insgroup had become the largest closely-held firm in Texas and one of the top 100 in the country.

With such an amazing growth period for our firm, we continued to focus on valuedriven solutions to maximize the relationships with our clients. This is why in November of 2020, Insgroup strategically partnered with Baldwin Risk Partners (BRP), a publicly traded brokerage based in Tampa Bay, Florida now with over 1,500 employees in offices across the country. Insgroup is able to provide an unlimited amount of value to the markets we serve with expertise in Property & Casualty Brokerage, Employee Benefit Consulting, Private Risk Services, and Surety. We serve clients nationwide and partner with premier national, regional and specialty insurance carriers across the United States.

Our partnership with BRP was made possible based on the fact that our mission and values were aligned almost identically. Our vision for this partnership is to continue being the premier provider of insurance brokerage, risk management, and employee benefit services through uniquely-focused specialization across industries, products and regions. This is something that we live and breath in every meeting, project and deliverable that we are a part of. We do this to create irreplaceable value for clients, colleagues and partner firms through thoughtful advice, exceptional service, and continuous growth.

We at Insgroup know that business is personal. That’s why it’s our job to be relentless advocates, sitting on the same side of the table as our clients to ensure a growth mindset in every project we take on. Our fearless leader, Brian Kapiloff says it best, “We are a firm that aims to lean into problems, taking them head on as true advocates for our clients”.

As we continue to grow and maximize our new partnership with Baldwin Risk Partners, Insgroup will continue to champion innovation, and drive education across the country for our colleagues and clients.

Insgroup; Insuring Success for you and your business’ future.

CONTACT

Phone: (800)-713-4711 Email: info@insgroup.net Learn More | www.insgroup.net

Affiliate Spotlight

Worldwide Facilities, LLC; MHI- MGA

McClelland and Hine, a division of Worldwide Facilities, LLC (MHI) is a Managing General Agent and Excess and Surplus Lines Broker located in San Antonio, Texas. MHI began writing business in San Antonio in 1982 and later expanded its operation with the opening of additional branch offices in Houston and Dallas. In 2013, MHI opened its first office outside of Texas. The Atlanta branch office services retail agents throughout Georgia and Alabama.

MHI provides specialty and surplus lines markets for licensed insurance agents in four states and has annual premium volume of approximately $55 million. MHI provides underwriting facilities for all lines of excess and surplus lines business, including personal lines (Texas), professional liability, general liability, property, transportation/ garage, workers compensation, inland marine, excess liability and miscellaneous specialty classes.

If you are interested in learning more about Worldwide Facilities, LLCMHI or becoming an appointed agent, go to www.mhi-mga.com or contact Bob Havey, Business Development Manager at (866) 203-3099 or bobh@mhi-mga.com.

CONTACT | Bob Havey Phone: (866)-203-3099 Email: bobh@mhi-mga.com Learn More | www.mhi-mga.com 19

President’s Message

Christopher Goff President 2020-2021 cgoff@harco-ins.com 713.800.2256

a few things As we enter 2021 hoping that 2020 was in our rear view mirror, we might need to pause to rethink that. As I write this, Houston is being hit with record low temperatures of 10 degrees and there is snow and ice everywhere! People are not talking about COVID for at least a week, instead swapping stories about surviving hours without power. 2021 is sure different than 2020, but I am not sure it is any better, at least right now!

I would like to thank the IIAH members and Affiliate companies for being the first insurance group in Texas to have an in-person trade show in 2021. I want to thank the IIAH HID committee for all of their hard work and for all of the companies that participated in a unique in-person and new virtual event. HID 2021 was a success, but I sure hope that 2022 HID will be back to our normal HUGE event in-person. We could not have pulled this successful event off without everyone’s assistance.

Please support IIAH by attending any event that you feel comfortable attending. The following events are coming up in the next three months and we hope you will be able to join us: 29th annual Charity Crawfish Boil, Fishin with a Mission, April Luncheon, 25th annual Chili Cookoff and our annual Spring Golf Tournament. It won’t be the same without you there!

One final note, I would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Renee Stager. Renee has been a valuable team member of IIAH for over 23 years. I wish her a speedy recovery from her recent accident! Get well soon!!!!

Chris Goff, CIC, LUTCF President IIAH

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A time to network January Legislative

Luncheon

The January IIAH luncheon was greeted with much anticipation.

Because of COVID, IIAH had not held a luncheon since January of 2020, so just at a year!

The leadership of IIAH decided the time was right for another luncheon, so the January 2021 luncheon focused on the upcoming Legislative Sessions, both in Austin and Washington, DC.

We were honored to have Lee Loftis, IIAH Governmental Affairs executive, drive over from Austin to be our guest speaker. Lee is very knowledgeable on both bodies and gave a spirited update on what we could expect to see this year. We had 30 members come out in person to join in the fun and networking in person, with others opting to join us by Zoom live.

We hope as we see more and more people vaccinated with the COVID vaccine, that we will see more of you at the next Luncheon on April 22. If you are unable to join us in person, please join us for the ZOOM live.

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Houston Insurance DaY

THE LARGEST NETWORKING EVENT OF THE YEAR

The 2021 Houston Insurance Day (HID) was held on Wednesday, February 24th. Just like 2020 and 2021 so far, it was a very different HID than in a “normal” year! This year’s event was missing three important things that we have had in years past.

1.Less exhibitors than in years past because of COVID requirements

2.Less attendees because of COVID and handling claims from the

recent cold weather

3.Renee Stager, the Queen of HID, because she was recovering from an accident.

But despite all of this, those that were in attendance at the Houston Marriott Westchase were full of energy and enthusiasm! Our theme of Around the World was in full display in the exhibit area and all of the booths were decorated wonderfully! Thanks to all the exhibitors for your hard work to make our exhibit hall truly a worldly affair. Thanks again to all the exhibitors, attendees and committee members who made this event wonderful, in spite of all the obstacles. We couldn’t have done it without you! We had about 1/3 of the usual number of people, which I heard from people that are putting on events is better than the 25% average that they are seeing at other events. As numerous people told me, someone had to be first, and I’m glad that HID is happening so that we can get back to normal as fast as we can.

Mark your calendars now, Wednesday, February 23, 2022, when we hope that everything will be back to normal and that our three important missing parts, Exhibitors, Attendees and Renee Stager will be back in all their glory at the 2022 HID! See you then!

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS GRIZAFFI’S COFFEE THE ZENITH VIRTUAL LOBBY SPONSOR STATE AUTO INSURANCE UHD INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT SELECT RISK SERVICES VIRTUAL SESSION SPONSORS ASSURANT TEXAS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY HAND SANATIZER STATION SPONSORS COLUMBIA INSURANCE GROUP COMP SOLUTIONS NETWORK GEOVERA SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY SERVPRO OF TOWN & COUNTRY THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP TEXAS SURPLUS LINES ASSOCIATION

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It’s The Law FEDERAL COURT IN TYLER REJECTS COVID-19 CLAIMS December 15, 2020

physical loss of or damage to property at the described A federal district court in Tyler premises.” The insured argued recently dismissed an insured’s that the term “physical loss” claims for breach of contract, was ambiguous and not defined breach of the duty of good faith in the policy, so he asked the and fair dealing, and violations Court to give the dictionary of the Texas Insurance Code definition of each word. On the against his insurer, Ohio Security contrary, Ohio Security argued— Insurance Company (“Ohio and the Court agreed—that Security”), which arose out of the term was not ambiguous the insured’s allegations that merely because the insured Ohio Security wrongfully denied had a conflicting interpretation his claim for coverage under the and that the term had been policy’s business interruption interpreted by Texas district and civil-authority provisions. courts as requiring “tangible Sultan Hajer d/b/a Rug Outlet damage to property.” In turn, v. Ohio Security Ins. Co., No. the Court stressed how the 6:20-cv-00283 (E.D. Tex.—Tyler, insured did not allege any Dec. 7, 2020) involved claims physical damage to his property made by the insured, Sultan and added that monetary losses Hajer, who owns and operates suffered while closed, or a a retail rug business called Rug regulation prohibiting people Outlet in Tyler, Texas. When the from patronizing a business, local county judge and, later, did not constitute a “physical Governor Greg Abbott issued alteration of the property.” stay-at-home orders closing As to the civil-authority all non-exempt businesses for provision—which required several weeks in March and access to the business to be April 2020, the insured was prohibited by a civil authority forced to close Rug Outlet. The as a result of the damage to insured then submitted a claim the property and civil authority under the business interruption taken in response to dangerous and civil-authority provisions to physical conditions resulting Ohio Security, who rejected the from the damage or covered claim and maintained that the cause of loss that caused the policy did not apply. damage—the insured argued Under the plain terms of the that the threat of transmission policy, the business interruption of the novel coronavirus provision required “direct anywhere people congregate

constituted “damage to nearby property” as contemplated by the civil-authority provision.

The Court noted that when interpreting civil-authority provisions similar to that in the policy at issue precedent required a causal link between the damage to any neighboring property and the act of civil authority. In this instance, no such causal link existed so the Court held that the civilauthority provision did not apply.

The insured also argued that businesses like his own had to physically change their properties to adhere to subsequent regulations, but the Court quickly struck that argument down holding the provision “requires physical damage to prompt the act of civil authority, not the other way around.”

In any event, the Court stated that, even if either of the provisions referenced above applied, the policy contained a “virus exclusion” clause that precluded coverage if the alleged damage was caused directly or indirectly by a virus, which is exactly what occurred here. As a result, the Court granted Ohio Security’s motion and dismissed the case.

Learn More | https://www.mdjwlaw.com/

TEXAS’ FLOOD INSURANCE MARKETPLACE EXPANDS WITH WRIGHT’S LAUNCH OF EXCLUSIVE, ADMITTED PRODUCT

St. Petersburg, Fla. (Dec. 14, 2020) – Wright National Flood Insurance Services has announced its expansion in Texas with the introduction of an exclusive, admitted, standalone flood product: Wright Residential Private Flood Insurance. It is available to residential property owners beginning December 14, 2020.

Wright Residential Private Flood Insurance can be purchased to protect homes against the risk of Texas flooding since most property policies do not cover the peril of flood. It will be sold exclusively by Wright’s partner agents, and it is one of the first flood products that is filed and approved by the Texas Department of Insurance while being supported by an insurance provider with an A- (Excellent) rating from AM Besti.

Thanks to its use of advanced technology, risk selection and model-based rating methods, the Wright Residential Private Flood Insurance Program can pinpoint risk locations house by house and thereby deliver a highly flexible coverage offering. Other key features of this first-of-its-kind stand-alone flood insurance include: » Admitted and approved by the Texas Department of Insurance » No waiting period » No elevation certificate required

Coverage Spotlight

» Higher dwelling limits (up to $1 million) » Single deductible » Automatic replacement cost on both dwelling and personal property » Loss of Use, Other Structures, and Building Ordinance coverages » Optional Resiliency coverage (rebuilding with flood-resistant materials to decrease the impact of future floods) “Recent and devastating events such as Hurricanes Harvey and Sally, along with record-high water levels in Texas, Louisiana and the Midwest, have caused billions of dollars in flood damage both in high-risk and lower risk flood zones,” said James R. Watje, senior vice president of Wright National Flood Insurance Services. “Mother Nature doesn’t follow the lines on a flood map, which is why we’ve harnessed the power of technology to augment the flood insurance marketplace with the creation of this admitted, comprehensive and customizable residential private insurance offering.”

To learn more about private flood insurance, find a Wright agent, or become a Wright partner agency, visit www.wrightflood.com.

Learn More

www.wrightflood.com 1- (866)-373-5663 Wright National Flood Insurance Services, LLC (WNFIS) provides private flood insurance products in 12 states with plans to continue expansion, building out the flood insurance marketplace.

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FELISHIA REDD Information Specialist II Texas Mutual Insurance Company

FE LI S H IA br in g s a l ot t o O U R TE AM –

an d TO YO U RS. You know her friendly voice when you hear it. But there’s more to Felishia than meets the ear. As a Texas Mutual call center specialist, Felishia knows how you work and can quickly access the information and resources you need. She supports your agency and your clients, making your business stronger. At Texas Mutual, we’re changing the way workers’ comp works for you. To learn more about Felishia and how she can help your agency, go to texasmutual.com/yourteam.

© 2021 Texas Mutual Insurance Company | Texas Mutual Insurance Company is rated ‘A’ by A.M. Best Company.

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S TAY S A F E , T E X A S

IIAH Legislative Committee

by Thomas M. Braniff, JD, CPCU

“A good laugh and a long nap are the two best cures for almost anything.”

Irish Proverb

2021 TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION The Republican party maintained control of both the Texas House of Representatives and Senate, and all statewide offices, in spite of what was supposed to be a “Democratic Blue Wave” in Texas. In the House of Representatives, Republicans and Democrats each lost one seat in the November elections…maintaining the same 83 Republicans and 67 Democrats.

In the Senate, the Republicans lost 1 seat, bringing the totals to 18 Republicans and 13 Democrats.

The 2021 Legislative Session got off to its usual slow start. A new Speaker of the House, Dade Phelan (R) of Beaumont was elected, and they promptly adjourned for 10 days. A new Speaker means new Committee Chairs and a shuffling of members appointed to each Committee.

The Speaker should announce these appointments around the 1st of February.

Dan Patrick (R) from Houston, was reelected Lieutenant Governor, and therefore presides over the Senate, which voted to reduce the number of votes necessary to bring a Bill to the floor to 18. Since there are 18 Republicans in the Senate, the Democrats will have a difficult time preventing Bills from coming to the floor for a vote.

Due to the Chinese virus, there will be limited access to the Capitol, with masks required and no “Big I Days” or groups allowed. A major issue will be passing a balanced budget with a $1 billion shortfall caused by the pandemic. Fortunately, the Texas Constitution requires that our State maintain a balanced budget. The current Texas budget is $112 billion…so a $1 billion shortfall is less than 1% of the total budget.

Because of the contentious nature of the process of redistricting Senate and House Districts due to population changes throughout our State, which follows the

nation’s census every 10 years, will most likely be completed in a Special Session later this fall.

VIRUS LIABILITY LEGISLATION The Texas Civil Justice League and Texans For Lawsuit Reform are pushing for legislation to “shield” private businesses and others from liability suits by employees or customers alleging the company caused them to contract the virus. Such legislation would grant businesses, doctors and others a “presumption of innocence” if they followed Federal, State, and/or other governmental guidelines regarding virus hygiene controls.

OTHER EXPECTED ISSUES Commercial auto insurers are reporting an avalanche of litigation generated by constant lawyer advertising, which is beginning to limit the availability of liability insurance and skyrocketing premiums.

The organization KeepTexasTrucking. com, insurance companies and others are proposing legislative reforms.

Another issue is that the funding mechanism for the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (“TWIA”) has become unsustainable. Some of the changes being discussed include a statewide assessment on insurance companies, and possibly reducing agents’ commission percentage.

There are numerous other Bills already filed that our association is monitoring.

They range from requiring insurers to cover pandemic related business interruption claims regardless of policy wording…to legislation legalizing casino gambling on barrier islands to help fund TWIA. Stay tuned for a wild “mostly virtual” ride!

Legislative Update

With great sadness, we must inform our readers that this is the last article from Tom Braniff that we will publish as our beloved contributor, colleague and friend passed away on 2/12/21.

All of us on the committee will miss Tom greatly. He was not only an advocate for Houston Insurance News but he was an advocate for our insurance profession as well as many others.

YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS MATTERS By contributing to IMPACT, you are supporting pro-business minded candidatesand elected officials who are looking out for agents’ interests in the Capitol. All of the money raised by IMPACT is contributed to candidates and campaigns that support the independent agent network.

NOTE: IMPACT is prohibited by law from accepting corporate contributions. Investments may be made via personal or partnership check/credit card AND the following business entities may contribute via company check/credit card: » Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) with no corporate partner members of their LLC, » Limited Partnerships (LPs) or Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) with no corporate partner members of their LP or LLP, » Partnerships with no corporate partner members of their Partnership, and » Sole Proprietorships with no corporate partner members of their Sole Proprietorship.

Contributions to this campaign are not deductible for tax purposes. Consult your tax advisor.

Students Earn Insurance Professional Designations Majors

The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research (TNA) offers the University Associate Certified Risk Manager (UACRM) designation to undergraduate students enrolled in approved insurance and risk management (IRM) programs. Twenty-nine U.S. universities have been approved for participation in the program, including UHD. The UHD IRM Risk Management Theory and Practice course affords students the opportunity to earn the designation by successfully completing TNA’s international Principles of Risk Management exam and passing the course. In addition, UACRM designees earn two credits toward the five credits required to earn the industryrecognized Certified Risk Manager (CRM) professional designation and three hours college credits.

For the first time in the UHD program’s history, each of the 15 students enrolled in the fall semester IRM class passed the international Principles of Risk Management exam, 14 of whom earned the UACRM designation! UHD IRM students also have earned the Certified Risk Manager, Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Associate in Claims (AIC), and Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designations.

Insurance designations are recognized professional credentials that add value to candidates’ resumes and organizations that hire the designees. Kyle Dean, President and CEO of Dean & Draper Insurance Agency, summarized this concept by observing, “industry professionals understand the work and diligence involved in earning a

designation, which exhibits perseverance and commitment to a candidate’s career and sets them apart from other candidates.”

The cumulative benefits of earning insurance industry professional designations include: » eligibility for membership in an elite cadre of industry professionals providing networking and collaboration opportunities with peers through classes, webinars, meetings and social events; » prioritized consideration when seeking employment and/or moving into another position; » recognized knowledge and expertise in the areas of the designation’s focus; » greater skill confidence and more effective decision-making in business and personal environments; » recognition within the industry as continuous learners who prepare to exceed expectations; and » professional advancement and greater and more frequent compensation increases.

To learn more or inquire how to enroll in UHD’s BBA in Insurance and Risk Management degree program, visit the IRM website:

www.uhd.edu/irm CONTACT Priscilla Oehlert E: oehlertp@uhd edu P: 770-286-4222

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Houston Insurance Professionals

growing the industry

HIP awards Scholorships to U of H Students

Houston Insurance Professionals (HIP) is again offering two (2) scholarships to U of H Downtown students for the spring session. HIP provided two scholarships last year and will continue to help students get the education needed to further their insurance careers. If you have any questions or want to apply for a scholarship email aweimer@hiallc.com. Talk with you soon!

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In Memoriam Joseph B. Zuber January 29, 1927 - December 16, 2020 Joe was born in St. Louis, MO., 93 years ago. He came to Houston at the age of 5 when his father started Zuber Insurance Agency. His sisters said they would give up their allowance for life if his parents would send him to military school. They were unsuccessful and he graduated from San Jacinto High School. He started college at the University of Texas and after his first year he joined the Navy where he proudly served on a destroyer escort in the China Sea. At the end of the war he completed his education with a degree from University of Texas.

Joe then joined Zuber Insurance Agency in 1949 where he remained for the next 65 years. He met Eleanor when she moved from Atlanta to attend college and 6 months later in May 1951 they were married and for all their years together they shared everything. Their travels took them from an inflatable raft down the rapids in Colorado to touring the Far East and many points in between. All of their trips were great adventures.

During his years with the Independent Insurance Agents of Houston he served on many committees, most notably the Legislative Committee. He then served as President of the Houston organization from 1975 to 1977. He was the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from this organization. He and his wife chaired the state convention in 1986. Joe was very involved with his Jewish community serving on many boards. One of his happiest civic endeavors was distributing on Christmas day, food and toys that family and friends had collected, to

hundreds of needy families. His greatest joy was sharing all the holidays with family and friends.

He is pre deceased by his parents, his 2 sisters Jeanette Folloder and Selma Rosenthal and his son in law Doyle Perry.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years Eleanor, his daughter Nancy Perry, his son Alan Zuber and grandchildren Jennifer Zuber and Jason Zuber of Chagrin Falls, OH. Additionally he is survived by many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. The family is grateful for the assistance of Jose Ramirez and his team for all their loving care.

Due to Covid19 the family is requesting that everyone join them on zoom: https:// zoom.us/j/92413322291?pwd=NGZOYis 4amNNQ0tZdVRJdnRueERWQT09

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you could appoint employees to work in teams of no more than 5 on assigned workflows. This can be done with any video conferencing program which allows you to screen share as you go through each workflow, obtaining input and agreement for each step and standard. Managers should be involved to assure that agency values are met.

Limit meetings to 1 or two hours once or twice a week so that the project does not interfere with other work.

Over the last several months, I have worked remotely with a number of agencies to help them update their procedures or develop them from scratch.

In most cases, the projects can be completed in a matter of weeks using this method.

With everyone working remotely, it is more important than ever to have up-todate written standards and procedures. This is one of your best safeguards against errors that could lead to an E&O claim.

Agent’s Questions about Errors and Omissions & how E&O losses can be prevented

By Mary LaPorte, AINS, CPCU, CIC, LIC, CPIA Agent’s

Q: It

has been almost eight months now, and our agency employees are still working from home. I’m a CSR in personal lines, and for some of us who have been with the agency a long time, I don’t see a problem. A few of us have worked from home even before COVID-19, and it works very well. But over these last months, the agency has had to hire two new CSRs in our department. Both of them had some previous experience, so training was minimal. But now that they have been here a few months, I’m getting worried.

They are just not doing things the way we have always done things in the agency. We have a few written procedures but they really aren’t up to date and they don’t cover everything. We had been talking last year about updating the procedures, but then COVID happened. How can we make sure things are being done right when we don’t expect to return to the office until after the first of the year?

Brenda, Michigan

A:Brenda, I’m glad you wrote about this, as I suspect you are not the only agency with this concern. With everyone

working remotely, it has been a little more challenging for new employees to “shadow” another for long periods of time, or to call out a quick question to the person sitting across from you. It is certainly understandable that employees with previous experience revert to doing things the way they have been comfortable with doing them in the past.

I believe you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the written procedures. All employees need clear guidelines for completing workflows and handling specific situations when they arise. This is especially true for new employees, even if they have had previous experience.

Every agency has different ways of handling things, and written procedures clarify management’s expectations in each area. Good written procedures include not only the steps needed to perform each function, but also agency Mary LaPorte is a consultant “standards” which raise the and educator with a strong bar on performance. Agency background in Errors & standards also help minimize Omissions loss prevention.

E&O exposure.

Forward your E&O questions to Even though your employees Mary via email. may not return to the office for months yet, it is still possible to work on updating procedures remotely. marylp@lpinsuranceconsult.com Depending on the size of your agency or department,

Have you Heard?

Our beloved Renee, the Queen of HID, had a terrible fall at her home on Saturday, February 6th, resulting in multiple facial fractures in her nasal/mid-face area, along with fractures in both wrists! After spending two days in the ER ICU at Memorial Hermann, she hoped to move to a regular room, but not so fast! Renee had tested positive for COVID. As if things couldn’t get any worse for her! So, she spent two weeks in the hospital getting antibodies to fight the COVID and getting her oxygen levels up to where they needed to be. Finally, after all of the ice and snow in Houston left town, Renee finally went home on Friday the 19th to recuperate there! As you can imagine, this will be a long and painful process. She will need multiple reconstructive surgeries, followed by plastic surgery to repair all of the damage to her face and arms.

I am happy to report that she is in good spirits and in true Renee fashion, the first thing she said to me after the accident was she was worrying about HID!!!

Please keep Renee and family in your thoughts and prayers. It could be many months before she is back too normal. If you would like to send her your thoughts, contact David below so he can get you in contact with Renee. Again, thanks for all the thoughts and prayers so far, she has told me she greatly appreciates them!

Renee, get well soon!!!!! IIAH is not the same without you!!!!

David Wuthrich dwuthrich@IIAH.org

Who has the Last Word Q: What is your pet peeve in traffic?

A: People who drive too slowly or don’t move when the light turns green

Tom Fitzpatrick

Q: Do you have any hidden talents?

A: Not really….what you see is what you get.

Q: Where you work: A: Chubb

Q: What is your favorite flavor of jelly beans?

A: Cherry

Q: What sound do you love?

A: Any one (or all 3 ) of my kids coming through the door.

Q: What is your LEAST favorite electronic device?

A: The one that’s hosting my 10th Webex or Zoom meeting of the day.

Q: If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint?

A: I’ve traveled all over the world but still have to say sunset over Smith Lake, Alabama Q: What was the first thing you bought with your own money?

A: 1967 Chevy Impala. A bargain at $200!

Q: If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?

A: 35 Q: What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?

A: Not listening Q: What is something you learned in the last week?

A: That Tom Brady’s more likely to make it to a Super Bowl than Steph Curry is to make a 3-pointer (courtesy of my son the Brady fan.)

Q: What is the longest car trip you have ever taken?

A: New Mexico to Maine Q: Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

A: My vote is yes Q: Ninjas or pirates?

A: Pirates Q: What was your favorite childhood television program?

A: The Jeffersons, MASH, Good Times (tie) Q: Are you a collector of anything?

A: Don’t know if it qualifies as a collection but I own a LOT of books.

Q: At a movie theater, which arm rest is yours?

A: Both

Q: Weirdest thing you have ever eaten?

A: Pig’s Ears

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